A Cemetary

We had plans to visit the local provincial park, but forgot that it closes for the month of November. A plan B was needed on the fly and one of the kids suggested we visit 'the big' cemetery we often pass by. A cemetery is a place we have often visited in the past. At different times we have taken small tokens such as painted or special rocks to lay at different graves that have touched us.

Today we walked up and down the rows of graves quietly, pointing out to each other the different stones that drew our attention. Noticing the different engravings, elaborate etchings in some, flowers at others. There were a few with very individual pictures on the stones; a deck of playing cards, a bus, an accordion, lacrosse sticks. Activities that obviously played a very important role in those people's lives. We wondered together if these were hobbies or jobs, perhaps something they enjoyed later in life or maybe learnt from their parents. There were many family plots, a prominent name in the area had a plot with twenty two family members spanning many years. We were touched by the stones with messages engraved; you will be missed little brother, your gifts touched us, peace at last.

We came across a few with single flowers at their base. Upon closer look we realized they were poppies. These were graves of men who had been soldiers, corporals, flight surgeons. We have been reading a lot about Canadian soldiers, their role in wars over history and the importance of remembering as Remembrance Day approaches.

It was a beautiful walk with my kids. As we read the few details about the people, they had such respect, understanding that these were markers for a person who had walked the earth, who was some one's child, who had a life. They were real people not just markers. We left feeling part of something bigger.